Defending Telkom Netball League champions, Gauteng Golden Fireballs, are aiming to retain their title as the 2023 edition will commence with the power week from 27 April to 1 May at Ngoako Ramahlodi Sports Complex in Seshego, Polokwane.
In 2022, Fireballs defeated five-time winners, Gauteng Jaguars, to earn their first-ever TNL crown.
In the first week of the tournament, the Fireballs will square off against their crosstown rivals, the Jaguars. They will also play against the Flames, the KwaZulu-Natal Kingdom Stars, and the Eastern Cape Aloes.
Speaking to supersport.com, team captain Bongi Msomi says they are aware of the challenge ahead, saying: “Going into the TNL, last year the idea was we wanted to change the legacy of the Gauteng Golden Fireballs. We didn’t know what that would look like but always in our heads was winning was there. That was even when we were talking about our mental state, so we even being ready mentally, what it is going to take for us to pull through and go over the line when it really matters. We knew that coming up against the likes of the Jaguars, obviously, they had been champs for five years and you don’t just beat those people. You have to have a full plan and a full plan is not only about the score because everyone has that. It’s about what you do as a team, outside of that. Your mental state, plays a big role for us.”
With two more clubs added for this season, there are now a total of 15 teams in the competition. In its initial season in 2014, the league only had 10 teams, with Gauteng hosting two of those. Now that there are five more provinces with two clubs each, there will be more competition in the league and more players will have the chance to participate on a stage of the highest caliber.
Photo 1 Caption: Telkom Netball League reigning champions, Gauteng Golden Fireball during the trophy presentation in 2022. Photo: Supplied
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
